The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1887-03-16
Mr.. Beecler's Death and Funeral.

Mr.. Beecher passed away gradually anC
almost imperceptibly, drawing his las
breath without apparent suffering or return
to consciousness in any degree. DIR. Scarf,
stood by the bedside holding one of Mr.
Beecher's hands, and at half-past nine ht
said: Mr.. Beecher is no more; he il
dead" Those present at the bedside were
Colonel III. b. Beecher, his wife, his daugh
ters Hattie and Daisy, and his son, Henry
Ward Beecher; Miss Edith Beecher w. c.
Beecher and wife; Rev. Samuel Scovile
Mrs. Scoville eldest daughter of Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher) and Miss Scoville, who has
Just come from the Pacific slope; Miss Bull
lard; the Rev. S. b. Halliday and wife
Bella, the Scotch nurse who has been with
the family many years and was the special
favorite of the deceased preacher; the male
nurse Riordan; Dea. S. V. White, l.. A
Seccomb, one of the trustees of the Plymouth
church, and Majo j. b. Pond. No Grape
was hung on the door, Mr.. Beecher having
always objected to the use of this and the
gloom associated with it in the presence of
death. Instead a magnificent wreath of
flowers hung from the left side of the door,
way at the top of the stoop, composed of
white and red roses and lilies-of-the-valley,
and tied up with white satin.
Private funeral services were held at Mr..
Beecher's house Thursday of last week. and
the remains were then removed to Plymouth
church, where they lay in state. An Epis-
copal minister, DIR. Charles Hall, OBLIGATED.
Mrs. Beecher sat beside the coffin. and forty
or fifty friends and relatives were present.
The coffin was covered with pail woven
from ferns and flowers. No black was used
about the room, as Mr.. Beecher had an aver
sion TO ordinary tokens of mourning The
Thirteenth Regiment, of which he was chap
lain, escorted the hearse to the church.
During the afternoon and up to eleven
O'Clock in the evening a throng poured
through the church to view the dead preach
er's face. At one time the line extended
three blocks to Fulton street and one
block down Fulton. The force of police
had to be increased and an officer was
stationed every five yards to keep the line
unbroken. In the procession We're people
of all classes and nationalities. 1t is esti-
mated that over twenty thousand people
passed the catafalque. The remains were
dressed in a suit of black broadcloth, with
the frock-coat buttoned up and the right
hand laid across the breast. The features
were natural and there was a smile upon
the face. The long gray hair was brushed
back over the ears, the same as Mr.. Beecher
wore it while alive. So many wreaths and
bouquets were left on the bier that a special
place had to be provided for them at the foot
of the pulpit. AT night the Beecher resi-
dence was brilliantly lighted. The members
of the family were dressed as if going to
church on Sunday and everything around
was made as bright and cheerful as possible,
Up accordance with the often expressed wish
of Mr.. Beecher in case of such an event.
Many visitors called during the day on visits
of coincidence to Mrs. Beecher and many
flowers were sent.
The public funeral of Mr.. Beecher occurred
Friday in Plymouth church. Business
was suspended in Brooklyn, and even
the courts adjourned. Dr. Charles Hall
conducted the services, using the Epis-
copal ritual, which Mr.. Beecher greatly
admired. Assistant Pastor Halliday of
Plymouth church also took part. DR.. Hall
delivered a short eulogy. Mrs. Beecher and
four sons visited the church early, looked
upon the sleeper's face and left before the
service. Other relatives were present Ad-
mission was gained only by ticket, and a
large number of prominent people were
there. At the same time there were over
flow services in the First Presbyterian
church on Henry street, First Baptist church
on Clinton street, in the Church of Our Sa-
viour in Pierrepont street and in the Sand
street Methodist church-all of which are
close by Plymouth church.
Mr.. Beecher's body was removed to Green
wood cemetery Saturday, escorted by ninety
policemen and attended by nearly hun
dred prominent citizens. including the
mayor. The male relatives of the late
preacher also went in carriages, but the
ladies remained at home. There were no
ceremonies.